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Memphis makes quick work of Cincinnati

Jan 5, 2007 - 6:09 AM MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Ticker) -- Memphis must wish Cincinnati never left for the Big East Conference.

Jeremy Hunt scored 24 points and freshman Willie Kemp added 21 as the 23rd-ranked Tigers put on a shooting clinic in an 88-55 drubbing of the Bearcats.

Memphis (11-3) bolted to an 11-0 lead and never looked back against their former Conference USA rival. Kemp and Hunt combined for 29 points and nine 3-pointers as the Tigers breezed to a 54-23 halftime lead.

"We didn't play that bad in the first 10 minutes of the game," Cincinnati coach Mick Cronin said. "We had good shots, we were moving the ball. They just made very shot. Willie Kemp is a decent shooter, making every shot.

"You can't guard all of them. They've got us outmanned in the post. You've got to pick your poison."

In extending its home winning streak to 22 games, Memphis posted the largest margin of victory in the series, which Cincinnati leads, 36-29. The Tigers shot 60 percent (32-of-53) for the game and the first half.

Hunt was 7-of-8 from the floor and Kemp was 7-of-9 and they each made six shots from the arc, missing a combined three between them.

Despite the outstanding shooting, Memphis coach John Calipari was more pleased with his team's effort on the other end of the floor.

"That may have been the best defensive performance where we covered for each other since I've been here," Calipari said. "I told Cronin we're probably not as good as we played."

Robert Dozier added 13 points and eight rebounds while Joey Dorsey had six and 10 along with five blocked shots for the Tigers, who had lost 18 of their previous 25 matchups against the Bearcats (9-5).

"What I told Robert Dozier before the game was all I wanted was four offensive rebounds and three blocks. Don't worry about anything else," Calipari said. "So he comes out and gets five offensive rebounds. He only had one (block) because they didn't come at him."

Cedric McGowan provided the only bright spot for Cincinnati, scoring 20 points on 7-of-8 shooting. The Bearcats had just one more field goal (21) than personal fouls.

"The worst nightmare happened. They made every shot to start the game," Cronin said. "We got shellshocked."